The Osceola times., 1887-05-21
A TERRIBLE STORM.


ming shafts-The Latter Probably Grip
pied for Life.
ST. LOUIS, May 16-At dawn yesterday
morning all indications pointed to very
warm day, and later the streets Leading
20 the parks and drives were crowded
With vehicles containing loads OF swelter-
ng humanity on their way out Tor
breath Of fresh country air. Be
lore three o'clock in the afternoon
many Of them wished that they
aad remained at home. The atmosphere
was unusually heavy, and this, together
with the scorching rays Of the sun, made
breathing difficult, and life, In conse-
,uence. almost miserable. Every body
remarked that it was a hot day, and many
predicted that a cooling shower with ITS
refres hing effect, would come before night
fall About noon threatening clouds De-
yan 10 gather and at two o'clock pre-
,ented an ominous appearance, betokeh-
ing something worse than d refreshing
shower. Vivid flashes OF lightning
followed by loud aud reverberating claps
Of thunder, indicated that the storm was
near at hand. People out in vehicles,
at the picnics, parks and other resorts
frequented by large numbers ON sun.
DAYS, began 10 look round for shelter, ana
in most cases were fortunate enough TO
get under cover before the heavily
charged clouds let loose their supply OF
water. The lightning flashed almost in
cessantly during the early part OF
the storm, the fiery bolts
iarting over house-tops ana
along the streets in manner that causei
considerable fright among the more umid.
The electrical currents flashed danger
ously near the earth, giving an effect OF
remarkable brilliancy. The thunder was
Of the heavy rolling order, resembling
in character the heavy mus
ketry and battery charges on a battie-
field with two great armies opposing.
The rain fell in torrents for awhile, ana
after brief intermission resumed heavier
than before the lightning and thunder
Accomplishments not showing any signs
of exhausting their capacity.
The lightning did not expend itself in
the air, as the sacrifice OF two human
lives and damaged houses, trees, sheds
and other property will testify. About
half-past two o'clock tele-
phone message reached the Fifth
| district station bringing the in
tellgence of fatality IN the
rear of the residence of George A. Rub
land. 4ll9 Morgan street Shortly before
three o'clock Bernard Hahn and Reinhold
Paschler left the cable station on Vande-
venter avenue and Morgan street with
the intention of going to Rinkeps. They
were walking on the Narrow
gauge railroad track, and were
| passing Mr.. Kuhland's stable
when the heavy rain drops warned them
| 10 seek shelter. Paschler wanted to turn
| back 20 the station, but Hahn insisted on
waiting under the projecting roof OF the
| stable until the rain subsidized. A number
| OF young men and boys who were play.
| ing ball on a common near by crowded
! against the north end Of the stable and
| Hahn and Paschler took the west side.
| Mr.. Rutland was busily engaged inside
| applying coat Of red paint TO baby
| carriage, with Florence, his little daugh-
ter, seven years of age, standing at his
| side looking on. At about eight minutes
past three o'clock bolt of the electrical
/ fluid shot through the stable and few
seconds later Hahns dead body was found
/ lsing In a deep trench filled with water,
/ few feet from where he was standing
with Paschler lying at his side in an un-
conscious condition and his limbs partially
paralyzed Mr.. Rutland was in the act of
dipping his brush into the paint pot
when the current pissed through
the stable, add before he realized
what struck him he was thrown
backward, overturning the buggy.
He recovered in less than a minute, and,
looking about, saw his little girl lying at
the side Of the buggy, with paint all over
T.. -, lot
his own clothing, he saw good
portion of the contents OF the pot.
A lot Of small spliuters, several
broken boards, wrecked door, Q
melted iron chain and hinge. showed the
course of the bolt. Mr. Ruhland carried
the child into the house, where she soon
recovered from the effects Of the shock.
Her mother mistook the red paint which
covered the child's head and face for
blood when she was being borne TO the
house and almost swooned at the sight.
In the meantime Paschler partially re-
covered, and seeing the body of his COM
panion lying in the water, staggered TO
the yard in rear Of Mr.. H. L. Griiz-
macher's residence, for assistance. He
was assisted in the house by
Mr. Gritzmacher, when he looked
around in a dazed manner. Hahn's
body was then taken in and a messenger
dispatched in the heavy rain for medical
aid. Before its arrival restoratives
were applied to Paschler and every
effort made TO insure his comfort by Mr.
Gritzmachcr's family. Acting Ser
geant Arrow and Officer Mace reached
the house after the fatal fash and
telephoned for an ambulance On the ar
rival Of the physician they examined
Hahn's body and pronounced life extinct
Paschler's condition was pronounced Sc
rious. He was sent 10 his home at a092
Wash street, where Hahn also resided
with his sister The coroner was notified
of Hahn's death, and his body was order
ed to the morgue. Hahn was thirty nine
years Of age and single.
| Paschler. who will probably recover,
but in all probability never have the full
use of his limbs, is twenty-seven years OF
age and unmarried. He is employed at
the Dozier- Wcyl Cracker Company, and
boards at the residence OF Hahn's sister.
II was only few minutes prior TO the
death Of Horn that Charles Rees, brick.
| maker. was killed in similar manner.
Rees. in company with Matt L1er, Con-
stine De Witt and foley Corcoss, went
TO the sheds OF Schweis Il Co. g
brick-yard for the purpose Of COW
ering up the bricks which
they had m ade the day before. The four
men were busily engaged when suddenly
bolt OF lightning passed through the
shed and struck Rses on the head as he
was in STOPPING position. He was killed
instantly, while the other three men were
knocked senseless, and only recovere
after few minutes TO find that Rees was
lying dead on the ground.
A Promising Outlook.